More often than not, having to place a loved one in a nursing home is a difficult decision, particularly since nursing homes don’t have the best reputation. However, a new U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report analyzing the federal government’s use of sanctions on nursing homes whose negligent practices are found to be harming residents has drawn the attention of lawmakers seeking to add teeth to regulations designed to protect vulnerable older Americans. Learn how the government is trying to make nursing homes comply with government regulations.

States and the federal government hope to save money by allowing people to age at home instead of in nursing homes. The jury is still out as to what the cost-savings will be, if any, but the hope is that allowing people to age at home where they can live more fulfilled lives will save the government and taxpayers money.

Many elderly who live in nursing homes describe how they have been robbed of their freedom and dignity. “It was like being in jail – in the nursing home you’ve got to do what they say when they say it, go to bed when they tell you, eat what they want you to eat. The food was terrible.”

Learn more about relocating the elderly back into the community.